Front suspension help please Mini F55 2014 B38

[den9112]

Hi , i have been chasing a creaking sound that appears to come from the front nearside wheel area .
On first start it wont do it but after a i have done a 7 mile straight journey to work it still wont do it but after a few miles more traveling it will start to creak when i rock the steering wheel full left they a few degrees right i get the creaking ...My first thought were the top strut bearings and i was going down that route until today when i raised the front end started the car and and went through the steering to see if i could spot or hear anything nothing the steering was smooth and responsive with no noises ...

I had a look underneath at all the joints and i couldn't spot anything obvious although its a bit difficult on your own trying to move things and look and listen however i have noticed that on the nearside wheel when i rock at 9 and 3 i get some movement offside wheel is solid so it looks like something is not right ....Could any help as to what the most likely culprit could be and whether top struts could still be a issue or more than likely a ball joint/wishbone issue ..I would rather try and sort this now rather than wait for the bang ....Thanks

[Shedding]

If there's play at 9 and 3 but not 12 and 6, I think lower wishbone ball joint or bush most likely.

[den9112]

Thanks for the reply , i have changed the track rod end and that as cured the problem with the rocking at 9-3 however i still have the creaking sound so next job is the strut and spring ...

[E-bmw]

Generally creaking would likely be strut top.

[den9112]

Hi, my first thought was top strut , i can only recreate the noise when the car is on the ground basically steering far left then rocking the steering wheel i get the noise i cant hear anything when someone else rocks the wheel although the noise at the moment is not loud ,i just know its there and its definitely near side..If i raise the car steering is smooth with no noise, notchiness or clunks ...

I also noticed yesterday in preparation for removing the shock that the bump stop had dropped down to the bottom of the spring ,i do have a replacement shock and spring ready for fitting ..I am wondering if this is connected to a pot hole i hit back in January were it flattened the tyre almost immediately after hitting it also very loud to the point were you almost know there must be some damage ..